Council amends alarm ordinance, removes false-alarm fees and waives camera-registration charge

The City Council approved amendments to the municipal alarm-systems ordinance (Ordinance 66-68) to remove false-alarm fees and update registration and appeal procedures. The ordinance revisions were presented by Speaker 2 and approved on first reading after discussion.

Council members described operational frustrations with the current third-party alarm vendor, which they said is out of state and difficult for residents to contact. Speaker 5 said the administration intends to sever ties with the vendor when the contract ends in May 2026 and noted the city must provide 90 days’ notice. "That's a terrible program and it causes more problems than it does good," Speaker 5 said, describing cases where residents avoided calling police because of fear of false-alarm fines.

As part of the ordinance changes, staff proposed—and council approved—waiving the $25 registration fee for residents who register outward-facing cameras in the police department’s camera database. Planning and police staff explained the change is intended to encourage camera registration and cooperation with the PD camera program as an alternative to fee-based enforcement.

Council did not take final adoption on second or third readings for this ordinance at tonight’s meeting; staff said the contract termination will be handled according to the terms (contract expires May 2026; 90 days’ notice required).